James Museum CFO talks pivoting online with new ‘JM From Home’ initiative

The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce presents: Coronavirus Impact Insights. 

On this episode of Chamber Coronavirus Impact Insights, Patricia Clynes, CFO of the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art joins Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Chamber and Joe Hamilton, publisher of the St. Pete Catalyst to talk about her own family’s experience with coronavirus and how museums are impacted by COVID-19.

Clynes joins Steinocher and Hamilton from the lobby of the beautiful James Museum, which has been closed since March 16. The museum, which employs around 60 people, has gone mostly remote, with staff members working from home and creating content from home.

Prior to its closure, the James Museum had no online museum content, but as the museum has pivoted to meet the needs of the community and its members, the staff developed JM From Home. JM From Home features weekly themes from the James Museum collection. They staff recommends art, movies, books, music, children’s activities and more to enrich the at-home experience for the whole family.

The museum’s team of educators, curators, marketers are updating content on a weekly basis through the website and the museum’s Facebook page. The museum is also staying connected to its members through e-blasts and individual outreach to check in on members and let them know all of the things the museum is doing to keep the community engaged.

Alongside her duties as CFO of the James Museum, Clynes is also the chair of St. Pete Young Professionals (SPYP), an extension of the St. Petersburg Chamber for young professionals up to the age of 40. Its mission is to attract, connect, and engage young professionals with business, employment and volunteer opportunities.

Over the last few months, SPYP has shifted gears to better serve the community, creating and distributing weekly with industry tips from members, in areas such as marketing and finance.

Each Thursday, SPYP supports local businesses by promoting a restaurant and a brewery on its social media platforms, using #SPYPCares. Finally, the group has teamed up with St. Pete Rising and Edge Guide to provide meals for frontline workers.

*Note, we are aware of the error in the caption for today’s video and are working to update it as your read this.